BALLOT TITLE
FIVE YEAR LEVY TO RESTORE SCHOOL PROGRAMS; REPLACE OUTDATED TEXTBOOKS.
QUESTION: Shall District replace textbooks; restore programs; reduce class sizes; levy 75¢ per $1000 assessed valuation for five years beginning 2000? This measure may cause property taxes to increase by more than three percent.
SUMMARY: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least a 50 percent voter turnout.
Over the past 10 years, students in Portland Public Schools have experienced cuts of 442 teachers, counselors, and librarians, resulting in a loss of programs and increased class sizes. In the same period, the District reduced facility costs, cut central administration costs to 5% of the total District budget, and began updating financial systems.
The five year serial levy will prevent further cuts and restore and improve services to students. The funds will be used to:
• Replace outdated science, history and other textbooks that are 10 to 15 years old;
• Help restore art, music and other lost basic programs;
• Reduce class sizes by hiring and furnishing supplies and training for 170 teachers;
• Support summer school for struggling students and other needed programs such as Saturday classes.
This levy will produce an estimated $78.3 million over five years. Estimated total for each year: 2000-01 $14.1 million; 2001-02 $15.0 million; 2002-03 $15.7 million; 2003-04 $16.4 million; 2004-05 $17.1 million. The levy is 75¢ per $1000 assessed value per year. A typical home will pay $8 per month.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
In 1990, school funding in Oregon changed dramatically. Previously, local residents had the ability through local levies to decide the level of resources their public schools would receive. The passage of Measure 5 shifted the school funding responsibility to the state legislature. Since then, the legislature has not provided Portland Public Schools with enough funding to maintain programs and services. Now, for the first time since Measure 5, local communities have a limited ability to pass local property tax levies dedicated to local schools. Measure 26-2 is such a "local option" levy.
In response to funding shortfalls, the District made numerous cuts and efficiencies, including reducing administration and support staff by 17%, cutting the maintenance workforce by 40% and their management support by 50%. District properties have been sold and a new financial control system is being implemented.
Ultimately, however, the shortfall in funding has been far too great to be absorbed by non-classroom service:
• Textbooks are outdated: History textbooks say that Ronald Reagan is President, the Soviet Union still exists and the Berlin Wall still stands. Science textbooks do not include current information on the Internet, global warming, modern space exploration, many medical advances and environmental issues.
• Ten years ago, Portland elementary schools had counselors, music teachers, PE teachers and librarians. Today, 38% of the schools have no music teachers or counselors. Many of the remaining schools have cut them to half-time or less. Many PE teachers and librarians were also eliminated or reduced.
• There are 442 fewer teachers than 10 years ago. Class sizes have increased at every grade level. Many elementary and middle school classes have more than 30 students. High school classes are even larger.
• High school counselors have seen their caseloads grow from 350 students to as many as 500 students - a 42.8% increase.
Measure 26-2 will begin to restore some of the cuts of the past 10 years by:
• Replacing outdated textbooks. Schools would purchase new science textbooks in the fall of 2001, and new history textbooks the year after. The measure also contains money to train teachers in the use of these materials.
• Hiring 170 new teachers to restore programs and lower class sizes. The new teachers would be allocated to every school across the district, based on enrollment. Each school will decide how best to add teachers in order to reduce class size and begin to restore the arts and music.
• Funding summer school and other special programs to give struggling students more time and attention to succeed.
Measure 26-2 is a 5 year property tax levy costing 75 cents per $1000 of assessed value. The average home within the Portland School District (120,000 assessed value $175,000 market value) will pay approximately $8 per month. Measure 26-2 will raise a total of $78.3 million over 5 years.
Submitted by Jim Scherzinger
Chief Financial Officer
Portland Public Schools
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
YES ON 26-2 VOTERS PAMPHLET STATEMENT
VOLUNTEERS IN THE PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-2
"I am a parent/volunteer at Portland's Chapman Elementary School, I work with the children in my son's 2nd grade classroom. It's an incredible experience to work with a child, particularly a child who is struggling to keep up. You see these kids working so hard to understand a concept, and put it on paper. When they succeed, they feel so proud of themselves. But it's heartbreaking too, because you see how thinly stretched our schools' resources are, and that without enough individual attention, some kids are not going to succeed. And you see first-hand the losses in music, art and other subjects that often mean the difference between success and dropping out later in high school. That's why I support Measure 26-2. It will reverse the pattern of cuts we've suffered over the past 10 years. It will restore programs and lower class sizes. As someone who is in the schools every week, Ican tell you that Measure 26-2 will make a real difference where it is needed most. Please join me in voting Yes on Measure 26-2!"
Cheryl Coon
Volunteer, Chapman School
"Even though my sons have long since left school (they're in their 30s), I volunteer once a week at Grant High School. One of the things I do is work with students who are having trouble with their studies, and are at risk of dropping out. It's good to feel like you are making a difference, but volunteers can do only so much. I see first-hand how over-crowding in the classroom and the shortage of individual attention contributes to kids dropping out - kids who are far more likely to get in trouble and impact our neighborhoods' quality of life. Strong schools make productive citizens. Whether or not you have kids in the school, Measure 26-2 should be important to you."
Ralph Erwin
Volunteer, Grant High School
(This information furnished by Cheryl Coon & Ralph Erwin)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Measure 26-2: A Good Investment in a Safer Community by Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Noelle
As Sheriff, my primary responsibility is to help keep our streets, homes and neighborhoods safe places to live and work. Much of that entails catching people who break the law and ensuring they have the appropriate consequences to their actions.
But 34 years as a Sheriff and police officer have taught me that law enforcement cannot do the job all on its own. A lot of elements go into creating a safe community. One of the most important is a strong system of public schools that helps build good citizens. That is why I am voting yes on Measure 26-2, and why I hope you will too.
A child who is failing at school - or who drops out - is at tremendously increased risk for becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Keeping kids in class is perhaps the best way to keep them out of trouble. And Measure 26-2 will fund programs specifically targeted to students who are struggling, such as Saturday classes and summer school. It will also start to restore some of the lost programs that keep kids engaged and interested in school, such as music and art.
There are many ways we have to invest in our public safety system. Good schools are one of the wisest investments: Keeping kids in school today is much less expensive than my having to deal with them tomorrow. They mean a stronger, safer community. And that's something that's good for all of us.
(This information furnished by Dan Noelle, Multnomah County Sheriff)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO PORTLAND FROM COMMUNITY AND PARENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
As one of Portland's largest school activist organizations, Community And Parents For Public Schools strongly support Measure 26-2, the local option for the Portland School District. It is our best chance in a decade to reverse the trend from cutting teachers to restoring the schools that we count on to give our kids and our community the future they deserve.
If you are a parent of a child in Portland Public Schools:
You know what the past decade has given us: ballooning class sizes, dated textbooks, cuts in programs, fewer teachers, and even fewer administrators. Your vote is essential to pass this levy. Not only do we need a majority of the votes cast, but we need to have at least 50% of eligible voters send in their ballots.
If you don't have a child in school:
Today schools are expected to do much, much more_academically and socially_with fewer dollars. The students of today will be your co-workers and fellow taxpayers of tomorrow. We can't expect them to lead us into the future in overcrowded classrooms with outdated textbooks. Give them the chance they need to excel!
• If you believe that children deserve an education that prepares them for the future;
• If you understand that strong public schools are the key to a strong, safe, livable community-
VOTE "YES" ON MEASURE 26-2, AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT BEFORE MAY 16TH.
PLEASE, REMEMBER TO VOTE! THANK YOU!
(This information furnished by Scott Bailey, Community & Parents for Public Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM U.S. SENATOR RON WYDEN
As your U.S. Senator, I have worked hard at the national level to promote better educational opportunities for all Oregonians. However, local communities shoulder much of the responsibility for maintaining public education. Strong public schools are the heart of our community. They reinforce our values, sustain our healthy economy, and make our neighborhoods desirable places to live.
That's why, as a Multnomah County taxpayer, I strongly support Measure 26-2. Schools are something we all need to take responsibility for and invest in today. Just as we count on our schools to teach our children, grandchildren and future community leaders, our schools should be able to count on us.
Good schools keep kids in class and out of trouble, helping them be the productive citizens of tomorrow. But budget cuts have forced damaging changes in Portland public schools, threatening our communities and our children's future. By replacing outdated textbooks, restoring valuable educational programs, and helping students who are struggling to succeed, Measure 26-2 will allow our schools to turn an important corner into a better future.
I hope you will join me in voting for Measure 26-2. It is a vital investment in our community and our future.
(This information furnished by Senator Ron Wyden)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Senior Perspective on Measure 26-2 by Nellie Fox-Edwards
As a senior citizen, I don't have children in school _ or grandchildren, for that matter. But Iwholeheartedly support Measure 26-2, which will bring urgently needed resources to our Portland Public Schools. I feel so strongly about it, Iwanted to share my reasons with other senior citizens.
I attended D.A. Grout Elementary and Franklin High School in Southeast Portland growing up. For me, and for so many of my friends, that experience made all the difference in the world. Many of us could have easily gone down the wrong path. We didn't, in large part because our schools were good. We had the individual attention that young people need, buildings that were in good condition and current textbooks. We were exposed to a wide range of classes that are vital to a well-rounded education.
Of course, good schools were important to us kids as we were growing up. But they were even more important to the community we became a part of. Honoring and supporting public education was the foundation of most everything we were proud of about our country. It was a responsibility our parents and grandparents were proud to shoulder, even through the depths of the Depression, or the War.
With age comes a bit of wisdom, and a bit of perspective. I can see more clearly than ever that when our public schools are strong, Ibenefit. Good schools keep kids in class, out of trouble and prepare them to be good citizens. That means a better, safer and more prosperous community for all of us. By supporting schools, we honor and keep faith with the generation before us, who did the same. I can't imagine a more important example to set for today's young people.
At $8 per month for the typical homeowner, our local schools are an awfully good investment. Please join me in voting Yes on Measure 26-2!
(This information furnished by Nellie Fox-Edwards)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR CLASSROOMS NEED? ASK US: WE ARE IN THEM EVERY DAY!
We are students from each level of Portland public schools: elementary, middle and high school. We work hard to learn, and we have great teachers helping us. But learning is made a lot harder because there are a lot of things missing in our classrooms and our schools.
One of the most frustrating things is some of the books and materials we have to use. We are using textbooks that we know are wrong because they are so old. We have history books that are so old that many of the countries they talk about don't even exist anymore. We have science textbooks that are missing elements from the periodic table of elements. And there aren't enough books to go around. Sometimes a couple of kids have to share, and we can't take them home with us. How can you do homework without a book?
We are also missing teachers. There are more kids in a class than ever before. It makes it hard to get help on things, because the teacher has so many students to look after. It can be hard to concentrate with so many kids in a classroom.
We worry about our future. Many of us want to go to good colleges, and our schools are missing some of the classes and programs that colleges look for. And there are hardly any guidance counselors to talk to.
Measure 26-2 will help bring back some of the things our classrooms are missing. You can take it from us - it will make a very big difference.
We know that we are responsible for working hard in school, and we try our best.. But we need the right tools. We can't vote, so we are asking you: Please vote Yes on Measure 26-2.
Jamey Stambler - 4th Grade
Jane Tucker - 6th Grade
Olivia Cutler - 8th Grade
Mira Moore - 9th Grade
Devon Mundal - 10th Grade
(This information furnished by Mira Moore, Jane Tucker, Jamey Stambler, Olivia Cutler, Devon Mundal)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Bring Art and Music Back to our Schools! Vote Yes on Measure 26-2
Finally, we have the chance to begin restoring some of the programs and opportunities our students have lost over the past 10 years, and put our Portland public schools back on the right track!!
There are a lot of reasons to support Measure 26-2. But as a music teacher, there is one that I particularly wanted to share with you.
Once, Portland public elementary schools offered its students art or music as part of a well-rounded education. Today, 38% of our schools have no music teachers whatsoever. Even more have had severe cutbacks.
Art and music are an important part of a basic education. But for many young people, it is so much more. In my own experience, I have seen many students for whom music was the one thing that sparked their imagination and kept them interested and engaged in school. It is impossible to know how many kids who have dropped out of school because of the loss of these programs. But we do know that number is far too high.
Music and the arts are important to all children. They are enriched by them, and their experience changes their way of looking at the world. Minds are opened, and creativity is unleashed. The arts are a basic element of a child's education, and for many, this element has been taken away.
Beginning to restore art and music programs - especially in elementary schools where they have a tremendous impact and the loss has been most acute _ is one the great things Measure 26-2 will do. Help bring them back by voting Yes on Measure 26-2!
Regina Pirruccello
Music and Drama Teacher,
Buckman School
(This information furnished by Regina Pirruccello)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A MESSAGE FROM PORTLAND PARENTS
THERE IS NO PLACE LEFT TO CUT!
PORTLAND'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CUT, CUT AND CUT AGAIN.
ADMINISTRATION IS NOW JUST 5% OF THE BUDGET.
THE MAINTENANCE WORKFORCE HAS BEEN CUT BY 40%. THEIR MANAGEMENT SUPPORT WAS CUT BY 50%.
THE DISTRICT HAS SOLD BUILDINGS.
THERE ARE 442 LESS TEACHERS THAN 10 YEARS AGO.
COUNSELORS HAVE BEEN CUT.
LIBRARIANS HAVE BEEN CUT.
PE HAS BEEN CUT.
THERE HASN'T BEEN MONEY FOR UP-TO-DATE BOOKS.
OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY COUNTS ON OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
FOR $8 A MONTH, WE CAN START TO BRING PORTLAND'S SCHOOLS BACK.
PLEASE, VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-2!
Jane Ames, Grant High School
Glenn Widener, Jackson Middle School
Emily Standish, Duniway Elementary School
Lois Martin Bronfman, Lincoln High School
(This information furnished by Jane Ames, Lois Martin Bronfman, Emily Standish, Glenn Widener)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Measure 26-2 Will Help the Students Who Need it Most.
When young people succeed in school, they are much more likely to succeed in life. They become good citizens, and productive parts of the workforce. They are more likely to build strong families and strong neighborhoods. And if they fail, or drop out, the cost is often paid by the entire community.
One of the most harmful things about the 10 years of cuts to Portland's local schools has been the loss of individual attention for students who are struggling, and need help. With cuts in teachers and some classes with more than 40 students, it's just impossible.
As a teacher and high school counselor who work with struggling students, we can testify to the power of a little extra attention. Time and again we have seen it transform a child from a likely drop-out to a child that goes on to succeed. But the bottom line is that there are just not enough resources for the kids who need it most.
That is one reason that Measure 26-2 is so important.
Measure 26-2 will dedicate resources to programs like summer school, that can make all the difference in the world to a child who is struggling. It will also help lower class sizes.
Over the last ten years, we have lost too many children. For an average of $8 a month, we can turn the corner, and keep more of them in school and out of trouble. Please vote Yes on Measure 26-2!
Diane George, Teacher and B. Brian Quinn, Counselor
(This information furnished by B. Brian Quinn, Diane George)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1J
Measure 26-2
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Portland's Business Community Supports Measure 26-2:
VOTING YES ON MEASURE 26-2 IS CRITICAL FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE
We support the Portland Public Schools because a healthy system of public schools is one of the most critical indicators for a strong and vital community. This is especially true for the business community, and anyone else who cares about Portland's economic future.
• The schools train our workforce, enabling local industry to be productive and competitive. We compete in a world economy, with places that are investing a great deal into their educational systems.
• Strong public schools play a key role in our ability to attract quality people and investment to our region. When recruiting employees or new businesses, the first question asked is "How are the schools?"
• A sound school system helps determine the economic vitality of many of our customers. When a community flourishes, that is good for all of us.
Measure 26-2 represents a wise and urgently needed investment. It is targeted to the most critical needs of Portlands's public schools and students, replacing out of date materials, restoring important basic programs and increasing the individual attention many students are missing. Voting yes on Measure 26-2 is a good business decision.
We all count on a strong and vital economy to build and protect our way of life. As active members of Portland's business community, we urge you to invest in our future by voting Yes on Measure 26-2
Sho Dozono, President & CEO, Azumano/Carlson
Wagonlit Travel V.B. Ryles, Jr., President, Poppers Supply Company
(This information furnished by Sho Dozono and V. B. Ryles, Jr.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.